Are there objective ways of measuring political commitment? What are the relevant indicators? Which indicators are most useful from your perspective? (e.g., New legislation enacted, Policy announcements, Budgetary allocation and support, Prominence of relevant institutions, Level of media interest, etc.)

We feel that the best measurement for political commitment for sustainable development is budgetary funding, media interest and public awareness.

Question 2

Based if possible on these indicators, how would you evaluate the political commitment today to sustainable development in the country(ies)/region(s) of interest to your group, compared to 1992? How would you evaluate the political commitment of the international community compared to 1992?

With the increase of hurricanes in the past decade, the United States? coastal regions are far more aware of the need for sustainable development due to their continued exposure. Green building and green technology is booming right now. As this work sector creates more jobs across the nation, the sector will command greater attention from legislators. Sustainability has been proven to be cost-effective and in the best interest of society in general both ecologically and economically.

Success Factors

Question 3

What actions have been introduced in your country or region to strengthen political support for sustainable development?

In 1992 there was no horizon on this issue. Not until later, 1998 did we see any political interest and not significantly until 2007/8 did the issue seem to gain any strength and perceptibly after the Al Gore movie since public sentiment was raised. With the increase of public awareness, industries have been much more conscientious of the environment in their planning. The United States government has passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) which provides funds to encourage sustainable development and retrofitting in government buildings, commercial buildings and in making homes more energy efficient across the country.

Question 5

What examples or experiences from other areas demonstrate how political support for critical issues was enhanced (e.g., MDGs, climate change)? How could they be applied to SD?

In the document, ?CELEBRATE, INNOVATE & SUSTAIN: Toward 2015 and Beyond, The United States? Strategy for Meeting the Millennium Development Goals, published in September 2010, the strategy for meeting the MDGs was outlined as follows:

?The strategy is based on four imperatives:
? Leverage innovation
? Invest in sustainability
? Track development outcomes, not just dollars
? Enhance the principle and the practice of mutual accountability?

Meeting the challenges of the MDGs go hand-in-hand with combating the effects climate change.

Challenges

Question 6

Looking forward to the next 10 years, what are your government?s / organization's highest priorities for accelerating progress towards sustainable development?

The World Aquarium?s most important priorities in activities is to help set sustainable policies throughout the world, conduct applied research regarding combating the effects of climate change in aquatic ecosystems, consulting with aquaculture businesses in determining the most sustainable and economical ways of doing business, and sharing the effects of climate change with our Aquarium visitors and sharing with them basic actions they can do to combat climate change. In the next 10 years the Youth Voices Campaign and public awareness initiative is expected to take hold by systemic application in schools, museums, and community awareness (in governments, corporations, and at local levels).

Question 7

How can international cooperation strengthen support for sustainable development? What are your expectations for UNCSD in this regard?

What happens in one country affects the rest of the countries, be it directly or indirectly. The UNCSD can provide reports on baseline data on the state of the environment or sustainable development on a country-by-country basis as well as worldwide. Having both worldwide and individual countries? information can be a barometer for measuring the success of programs.

Risks

Question 8

Among your country?s senior national policy makers, would you say the predominant view of the three pillars of sustainable development is that: ____there are difficult trade-offs among them? ____ they are strongly complementary? Please briefly elaborate on your answer.

We believe that with advance planning, conducting youth educational programs, increasing public awareness, and by having governmental structures in place, that the three pillars of sustainable development are complementary. We believe the pillars a complementary because we see sustainability as a holistic viewpoint that works towards all aspects of society working together in harmony.

B - Assessing progress and remaining gaps in implementation

Experiences

Question 1

What indicators or information on sustainable development have proven to be most useful for assessing gaps and progress towards sustainable development? Please rank according to importance with 1 = most important. Please also attach or provide a web link to relevant statistical databases.

Based as far as possible on these indicators, please provide an assessment of the progress made towards sustainable development over the past 18 years (1992-2010), (a) at the level of the country(ies) or regions of interest to your group, where relevant and (b) globally. Please attach any relevant technical studies or policy analyses. For each input, kindly provide the original article or url, and enter a short abstract.

Has your country / organization / the country(ies) or region(s) of interest to your group introduced or promoted integrated planning and decision making for sustainable development? If so, under what title (NSDS, PRSP, Five Year Plan, NCS or NEAP, Other)? What are the lessons from this experience?

The World Aquarium and the Conservation for the Oceans Foundation foster sustainable development best practices through regional multistakeholder meetings wherein participants can reach the most effective solutions through constructive dialogue and find actionable solutions for implementation. India is a developing country in its industries and has a large population growth.

Question 6

Are there examples of strong public-private partnerships for sustainable development in your country / the country(ies) or region(s) of interest to your group? How have these been promoted?

The World Aquarium has worked with Fatima Mata National College to promote sustainable aquaculture through workshops co-sponsored by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment in 2009 entitled, ?State Level Workshop on Captive Breeding of Fish for Conservation and Income Generation for Fish Farmers and Socially Weaker Sections? and "Valued-Added Fish Byproducts for Income Generation." More workshops are being planned. The World Aquarium also is working with Desinganad Multi-State Development Cooperative Credit Society Limited (DDS) to establish a framework for a microfinance product for fish vending women and to Self Help Groups (SHGs). Money is loaned at a low single digit percentage, enabling them to save large amounts of interest. SHGs are encouraged to pool their resources and early payoffs of the loans are also encouraged. DDS provides training to over 20 SHGs in various skill areas to provide alternative employment means and works towards helping their clients set up their enterprises. All of the projects are sustainable.

The World Aquarium has worked with Fatima Mata National College to promote sustainable aquaculture through workshops co-sponsored by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment in 2009 entitled, ?State Level Workshop on Captive Breeding of Fish for Conservation and Income Generation for Fish Farmers and Socially Weaker Sections? and "Valued-Added Fish Byproducts for Income Generation." More workshops are being planned. The World Aquarium also is working with Desinganad Multi-State Development Cooperative Credit Society Limited (DDS) to establish a framework for a microfinance product for fish vending women and to Self Help Groups (SHGs). Money is loaned at a low single digit percentage, enabling them to save large amounts of interest. SHGs are encouraged to pool their resources and early payoffs of the loans are also encouraged. DDS provides training to over 20 SHGs in various skill areas to provide alternative employment means and works towards helping their clients set up their enterprises. All of the projects are sustainable.

To address what we feel is the top barrier to implementation, the World Aquarium has developed an environmental education book series entitled, Youth Voices. Youth Voices has been designed to address sustainability at a local and global level and can be tailored to each region?s needs. We feel that our youth are the leaders and decision-makers for tomorrow and need to look at the issue of conservation and sustainability from a holistic viewpoint. By educating our children from this viewpoint, they will in turn make choices that will incorporate conservation of the environment and the betterment of humankind and society.

Question 10

What are the main difficulties experienced in promoting integrated planning and decision-making?

Sometimes it can be difficult for decision-makers to look at the issue from a long-term view. Choosing a plan that supports sustainability may not be the least expensive route on the front end of the transaction, but may save millions of dollars in the long-term. This is where environmental education comes into play. Looking at issues holistically can serve the needs of individuals, corporations and governments.

Question 11

What further actions could be taken to promote effective voluntary actions and partnerships?

Education and public awareness are key to eliciting permanent change and voluntary participation in sustainability. Without these two steps preceding, effecting partnerships and voluntary actions will be extremely difficult.

Risks

Question 12

What are the risks to sustained progress towards convergence among the three pillars of sustainable development?

There aren?t any risks if education and public awareness precede the progress along with multistakeholder meetings that have participation from all levels of society (citizens, businesses and governments). Multistakeholder meetings have greater levels of success because everyone gets to express their ideas and concerns and come to a consensus as to how to proceed. This brings about more harmonious, permanent results because it creates more buy-in from stakeholders. Therefore, the stakeholders are much more vigilant in carrying out the actions that were agreed upon.

C - Addressing new and emerging challenges

Experiences

Question 1

What five new and emerging challenges are likely to affect most significantly the prospects for sustainable development in the coming decade? Please rank in order of importance.

Climate Change, as new evidence has emerged to suggest that the danger is a more imminent one than previously thought.
-Degradation of marine ecosystems
-A succession of disasters.
-Rising water scarcity and increased desertification
-Food crisis, caused by the rapid escalation of food prices.

Question 2

What mechanisms have been put in place in your country / organization / the country(ies) or region(s) of interest to your group to address these challenges: At the local level? At the national level?

We have been working with the U.N. to help them pre-plan and have encouraged them to have plans in place for communicating during various types of natural disasters, most of which are projected to increase due to global warming.
-We regularly participate in national and international climate change conferences and workshops to engage stakeholders in taking actions now to ameliorate and prevent the effects of climate change.
-In India, we participate in workshops that address sustainability issues in both freshwater and marine fisheries and in aquaculture practices and the long-term effects these sectors have on food security.
-In Maldives, we addressed the issue of sea level rise with ministerial-level participants and pre-planning their actions in the realm of population relocation as well as future lucrative land uses which they can choose to engage in, such as aquaculture/mariculture, when/if the islands become uninhabitable due to global warming.

Question 3

In which of these areas has support from the international community been forthcoming? In what areas is new or enhanced international support needed?

International awareness of all of these issues may not be present due to lack of personal experience or education received. Unfortunately, most nations are reactive rather than proactive as related to unfortunate events such as those listed above.

We believe the following three challenges will most affect the prospects of sustainable development and lead the UNCSD to take action in these areas: climate change, degradation of marine ecosystems and rising water scarcity.

Success Factors

Question 5

What factors explain the successful ability to address new and emerging challenges?

In India and Russia, strong emphasis is placed upon literacy and education of our youth as future stakeholders and decisionmakers as well as instructing their parents in by passing on environmental information that they have learned.

Challenges

Question 7

How can the link between scientific research, education, and policy be strengthened to address the new and emerging challenges, especially those identified above?

Establishment of a data baseline should be of prime importance. Without the data, it is impossible to determine a strategy. Then pathways of communication to society at large, including schools, corporations and governments may need strengthening. Regional multistakeholder meetings including all of these societal levels can be held. A list of best practices and actions can be determined from these meetings within each region.

Question 8

How can international support be harnessed effectively to address these challenges?

Once the hard data is procured and a basic plan is established can the support of other countries be sought. A coalition may be created within your region of the world. The regional group may expand into an international group.

Risks

Question 9

Do the new and emerging challenges pose a fundamental risk to the prospects of economic growth and development in the country(ies) or region(s) of interest to your group?

As stated before, the most sustainable ways of doing business may not be the most economical option short-term, but may be the most economical long-term. With the ascent of education at all levels of society, this type of short-term thinking can be eschewed for more holistic, long-term value options. These financial challenges are transendemic and not limited to India or Russia, for example.

Question 10

How can the risks to the poor and other vulnerable populations be addressed?

With the instability of fisheries and bioavailability of stocks, we are working with Desinganad Multi-State Development Cooperative Credit Society Limited (DDS) to establish a framework for a microfinance product to encourage consumption from alternate food sources while participants generate income. The establishment of alternate sources of income allows fish stocks in freshwater and marine bodies of water to recuperate.

D - A green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication

Experiences

Question 1

Is there a consensus among policy makers in your country on the meaning of the term green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication? If so, how is it defined? [If relevant, please provide any official publications or analytical studies on the concept of green economy or its operational or social implications, together with a short abstract]

What are the main examples of green economy policies that are currently in place in your country? (e.g., government expenditures on green infrastructure, incentives for private investment in green sectors, subsidy reform, pricing of pollution, public procurement, other)

Which policies, or types of policy, do you consider to be most effective in promoting a green economy and why?

Are poverty and other possible social impacts explicitly considered in the design of green economy policies? If so, how?

We believe that the three pillars of sustainability are harmonic, compatible, and interrelated. When the pillars are in equilibrium, a green economy and poverty eradication occur.

- At this moment, our work with the Desinganad Multi-State Development Cooperative Credit Society Limited (DDS) microfinance group in India is a primary activity within the economic pillar of sustainability. The country of Maldives has committed to be a carbon neutral country to lead the world to take action in ameliorating the effects of climate change. With the onset of sea level rise, Maldives will be the first country to be overtaken by the ocean.

- Poverty eradication is key to achieving a green economy. Without most of the people working and creating income, crime will ensue. This is why microfinance is so important.

Question 2

Are these policies being implemented as part of a coherent green economy, or green growth, strategy?

Desinganad Multi-State Development Cooperative Credit Society Limited (DDS) is a privately funded institution that works through the Archdiocese in Kollam, Kerala in India. All of their projects are sustainable, which is very important. All of the Self Help Groups have started to save money and this is the goal of DDS.

Question 3

What are the main perceived benefits of implementing a national/regional green economy strategy? Are these benefits being tracked, measured and reported?

If this microfinance plan were implemented throughout high-poverty regions or even countries and had responsible leadership with adequate infrastructure, poverty could be virtually eradicated in these areas. With economic prosperity comes greater business, development and educational opportunities.

Question 4

What economic sectors do you consider to be most important to building a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication?

While all four economic sectors are important, the primary sector (extraction and production of raw materials) and secondary sector (transformation of raw or intermediate materials into goods) would make the greatest impact in all three pillars of sustainability. These are the sectors that most often enable the eradication of poverty. By doing this ?ground up? approach, a ripple effect on the tertiary and quaternary economic sectors will occur. These changes need to be coupled with public awareness and education of citizens and youth for the best results.

Success Factors

Question 5

From your own experience, what green economy policies would you rate to be most effective?

By providing funds and educational support to members of Self Help Groups, it keeps members motivated and able to pay off their loans. These members? small individual businesses grow and may employ other people in need of income/jobs, thus eradicating poverty within their region.

Question 7

What in your view are the principal reasons for their success? (e.g., economic efficiency, availability of relevant institutional or technical capacity, strong political support, broad engagement of business and industry, NGO support, international support)

The microfinance project is successful due to its structure. The structure of Self Help Groups is supported by the infrastructure of the Catholic Church and through regular educational meetings to foster success of the groups.

Question 8

What steps and actions have proven effective in building political and popular ownership for green economy measures?

Public awareness campaigns are necessary for educating and energizing the public to take actions towards a green economy and society. Also, having multistakeholder meetings aides in creating ownership of best practices and causing participants to act voluntarily which is necessary for sustainability.

Challenges

Question 9

Are there studies for the country(ies) or region(s) of interest to your group that identify success factors, challenges or risks associated with green economy policies identified under Question 1? For each, kindly provide the original article or web link, and a short abstract.

Based on all of the above, what is (are) the key outcome(s) you think could emerge from the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in 2012 with respect to a ?green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication??

Key outcomes would be establishment of multistakeholder meetings in regions throughout the world, establishing a public awareness campaign, dissemination of environmental education to our youth worldwide via a program such as Youth Voices, and creation of sources of microfinance for Self Help Groups to eradicate poverty.

Risks

Question 11

What is the relationship of green economy policies to other policies and policy domains (e.g., poverty, growth, employment, trade, etc.)? Are there cases of conflict and, if so, how have these been addressed?

There have been no conflicts in the realm of microfinance. In the environmental sector, new processes and protocols may need to be established in order to be ?green.? This may entail making changes such as collecting certain fish during particular seasons for fisheries, selective harvesting in forestry, or crop rotation in farming. These types of actions ensure sustainability and have few, if any, effects on the economy.

E - Institutional framework for sustainable development

Experiences

Question 1

Various changes in the global institutional framework for sustainable development have been discussed. What is the importance of the following avenues for reform? Kindly explain your choices, indicating what concrete measures could be considered in this regard.

How can the institutional framework ensure effective synergies between the CSD and other existing inter-governmental instruments and processes, including different multilateral agreements, UN programmes and funds, and regional processes?

The CSD may need to have a meeting among its constituents to establish common themes and goals. Enabling each representative to speak openly about concerns or to make suggestions is essential to this process. Creating strategies for projects, either singularly or jointly, will conjoin and bond the organizations in their missions.

Question 3

How can the institutional framework ensure effective coordination among different agencies and organizations responsible for aspects of sustainable development?.

All of the participating agencies may want to have regularly occurring coordination meetings in person or over the internet to discuss successes and re-work any unworkable processes within their programmes.

Question 4

Does your country / the country(ies) of interest to your group have an active national sustainable development council (NSDC) in place? Yes/No. Do you think an active NSDC could facilitate national preparations for UNCSD? If so, how? Provide contact of Focal Point for country's NSDC.

India has the India Council for Sustainable Development which is currently coordinating with the country of China. Active NSDCs worldwide would be likely candidates for collaboration and cooperation because there is a common goal of sustainability in mind.

Question 6

Has your group been actively involved in developing and/or implementing local agendas 21? If so, where?

While we are full supporters of Agenda 21, we do not formally implement it. We help to facilitate multistakeholder meetings which have definite local and regional best practices, strategies, and actions which occur as a result. Some of these results may be in line with Agenda 21.

Question 9

Please indicate which of the following forms of engagement of major groups in decision making are commonly used in the country(ies) or region(s) of interest to your group:

The World Aquarium is currently collaborating with Centre for Environment Education, CEE, which was created in recognition of the importance of environmental education in India's overall environment and development strategy and is supported by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of India. We are collaborating with Fatima Mata National College in Kollam for student sustainability studies and learning about sustainable aquaculture practices, particularly for women as an income generator. We have also collaborated with the Brazilian government in their SIVAM rainforest surveillance system and other sustainable forestry and fishery issues.

Success Factors

Question 11

Are there examples, whether in the sustainable development domain or in related policy domains (e.g., MDGs, other), where an effective institutional framework has contributed to significant positive outcomes at national level? international level?

In Russia, a multistakeholder meeting on the Caspian Sea was hosted by IOI at Astrakhan University in conjunction with the World Aquarium?s Conservation for the Oceans Foundation. One of the national successes of the meeting was the inclusion of a lush, green estuary filled with lotuses and migratory birds into the Astrakhan State Biosphere Natural Reserve.

Question 12

How can the lessons from such successes be used to enhance the effectiveness of the institutional framework for sustainable development? Are the lessons relevant to the Commission on Sustainable Development?

The promotion of sustainable development may appear to be contrary to traditional knowledge, creating even more resistance to change. Lack of environmental education nationwide also creates a barrier. Money to support infrastructure is commonly lacking as well.

Risks

Question 17

What decisions should UNCSD aim to reach on the institutional framework for sustainable development? What are the main risks threatening a successful UNCSD outcome on the institutional framework?